Agenda and minutes

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The Chair referred Members present to item 1 as shown on the agenda and ran through requirements. Members noted the information contained therein.

Apologies for absence was received from Cllr Buxton.

None

None

None

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting on 23^rd July were agreed as a correct record.

To receive and note the minutes of the following Scrutiny Panels and to approve any recommendations contained within:

·         Meeting in Common of the Adults & Children’s Panels on Transitions -28^th May 2024

·         Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Panel – 29^th July 2024

·         Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 30^th July 2024

·         Housing, Planning & Development Scrutiny Panel – 30^th July 2024

·         Climate, Community Safety & Environment Scrutiny Panel – 31^st July 2024

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the following Scrutiny Panels were received and noted, and that any recommendations contained within were approved:

·         Meeting in Common of the Adults & Children’s Panels on Transitions -28^th May 2024

·         Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Panel – 29^th July 2024

·         Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel – 30^th July 2024

·         Housing, Planning & Development Scrutiny Panel – 30^th July 2024

·         Climate, Community Safety & Environment Scrutiny Panel – 31^st July 2024

The Committee received a Finance Update for Quarter 1 2024/25. The report covered the position at Quarter 1 of the 2024/25 financial year including General Fund (GF) Revenue, Capital, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets. The report focused on significant budget variances including those arising from the forecast non-achievement of approved Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) savings. The report was introduced by Cllr Dana Carlin, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, as set out in the agenda pack at pages 63-166. Taryn Eves, Director of Finance and Josephine Lyseight, AD for Finance were also present. The following arose during the discussion of the report:

1. The Chair enquired whether the organisation was getting to a position whereby it was functionally unable to balance the budget long-term. It was commented that it didn’t seem to matter how much money was put into the budget, the Council still ended up with an overspend and a budget gap at year end. The Chair also commented that savings were put forward every year to plug the gap, but a proportion of those savings didn’t get met and further savings were required. In response, the Director of Finance advised that she would not characterise the situation as being unable to set a balanced budget for this year or next, at this stage. It was commented that a lot of work was being done behind the scenes to identify opportunities to reduce the budget gap. In addition, there was monthly monitoring of high risk budgets, such as Children, Adults and Housing Demand. The Director Finance advised that there was always risk and uncertainty around setting a future balanced budget position and that there was a lot of work to do in setting the budget.
2. In response to a question, the Director of Finance advised that the projected £20m overspend was a projected overspend at the year end, rather than a £20m overspend at Q1. The Director of Finance set out that due to the governance processes involved, it was usually around Christmas time before they started the process of setting a budget. The figures that were used didn’t include Q3 numbers and there was always a degree of revision required. Some of the pressures highlighted in the report in Children’s did not come to light until after January and so there was always going to be additional pressures to the in-year budget. Officers set out that they were actively looking at ways to reduce in-year spending and in-year demand. Officers also commented that the Q2 figures were likely to be challenging due to the level of demand and the complexity of some of the care needs involved.
3. The Committee sought clarification as to whether the budget mitigations being taken in-year might be reflected in an improved position in Q2. In response. Officers advised that it was anticipated that there would be an increase in demand in Q2 and that this would offset any reductions in spend. It was commented that actions taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Panel received a report which provided the first regular update on the Council’s progress against the actions outlined in the Corporate Delivery Plan (CDP) 2024-26. The report was introduced by Nathan Pierce, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer as set out in the agenda pack at pages 167-216. Taryn Eves, Director of Finance was also present for this agenda item. The following arose in discussion of this report:

a.    The Panel requested that quarterly finance and performance briefings were restarted with the four scrutiny panel chairs. (Action: Scrutiny Officer).

b.    The Panel requested a written response from the Housing service in relation to High Road West and the level of risk that has been identified in relation to Lendlease and not delivering 500 new Council homes on that site. The Panel also requested an explanation of the 51 homes being brought up to Decent Homes Standard (in year) against a target of 700 – the Panel requested information about the reasons behind the delays. (Action: Philip/Director of Housing).

c.    The Panel commented that they welcomed the report, it’s layout, and welcomed the fact that 64% of performance outcomes were positive. The Panel sought assurances about what the impact on the CDP might be from a worsening financial position. In response, officers advised that the two went hand-in hand and that the budget setting process was there in order to allow the council to deliver on its priorities. It was acknowledged that future budgetary constraints could impact the CDP, but that any risk of this would be set out in future quarterly reports. Any changes to the CDP would need to be agreed by SLT and Cabinet. Officers advised that that Category A programmes were related to savings and that these were monitored monthly through the Change programme. The Chief Digital and Innovation Officer advised that future reports could highlight lines in the CDP that report on savings, that were red or amber. (Action: Nathan Pierce).

d.    The Chair suggested that he thought the performance indicators that were red or amber were more likely to be contributing to some of the budget pressures, rather than the other way around. In response, the Director of Finance and the Chief Digital and Innovation Officer agreed to have a discussion outside the meeting and agree how best to reflect performance indicators that were having a budget impact, in future reports. (Action: Taryn/Nathan).

e.    The Panel raised concerns with indicators that were red or amber because of having no budget allocated to them. The Panel requested that future reports provide more information about why there was no budget allocated. Officers advised that a similar discussion had taken place at SLT and it had been agreed that this would be amended in future reports.  (Action: Nathan Pierce).

f.     The Panel requested the future reports better highlight some of the key outputs for the Council, rather than treating all of the 180+ performance lines the same.  Members commented that things like the Housing Improvement Plan and housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

RESOLVED

     I.        That the Committee noted the comments and feedback received from the Scrutiny Survey and the Scrutiny Café consultation event and gave consideration to including the priorities raised in developing its work programme.

    II.        That the Committee gave consideration to the agenda items and reports required for its next meeting on 25^th November.

  III.        That the Committee tasked the panels with developing their own work programmes for submission to OSC at its November meeting.

N/A

· 25 November 2024 (Budget – CSE)

· 12 December 2024

· 20 January 2025 (Budget)

· 27 March 2025

· 25 November 2024 (Budget – CSE)

· 12 December 2024

· 20 January 2025 (Budget)

· 27 March 2025